The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-10-20


has shown an appreciation Of the needs
Of their farmer friends in not limiting
their labos to holding . State Fair.
That they make the erandest object les
son in agriculture and mechanic arts
held in the United States goes without
saying. But an object lesson is best ap-
preciated by those who have been
quickened and aroused to the advant.
ages Of improved methods. The busi-
ness OF the tiller OF the soil OF necessity
keeps him from contact with the activi-
ties outside of his farm lines, and he is
apt to be Satisfied with the methods Of
his father and himself, because he is not
forced to see and know Of better ways.
Business men and lawyers are compelled
to come in contact with rivals, and are
quickenei and sharpsnsd BY efforts nee.
essary to keep their place. The farmers,
Of all other men, need something to in.
duce them to come together 10 discuss
methods and questions bearing on their
calling. These farmers institutes afford
the much.needed opportunity. It Is
said that last year they we're held in
about fifty counties of the State, and
more than p, 600 persons attended them.
In the majority of places it is difficult to
find hall large enough to accommodate
the farmers aud their families that come
from miles around. The institutes are
usually held two days and one night,
and in some cases three days and two
nights. The Secretary Of the State Board
u Agriculture provides lecturers that
are known to he well posted in some
branch of farming, and who can tell
what they know. He also has the aid
Of some professors from the State Uni
versity, whose departments bear on
agriculture. The professors of sgri.
cultural chemistry, Of geology, Of horti-
culture and botany. of veterinary science
and OF agriculture are able to instruct
and interest farmers in their branches of
work. He has also the aid of popular
| and instructive lecturers on topics bear
ing on the general culture Of the farmer
and his family, SO that all who attend
| these institutes will be instructed and
| entertained. The time is not all given
to lectures; music is interpersed and
discussions of practical questions are
made prominent. Wherever they have
peen held they haye not been abandon.
ed, but permanent organizations are
founded among the farmers, SO they
meet quarterly or oftener to discuss
their business without the aid OF any oil
the foreign speake1. Farmers clubs,
too, spring up as natural outgrowth Of
the institutes. These clubs are a means
of social and intellectual improvements
that can not be overestimated.
We understand the board OF agricul.
ture desires to hold an institute in every
county in the State. They want to mark
the centennial year of the settlement oi
Ohio by this good work. If in every
county in Ohio there can be held each
year series of farmers institutes and
meetings of clubs and kindred societies
for improvement of farmers and their
families there would be . quickening
and interest in farm life such has never
yet been felt in any State or country.
The days of the old plodding routine Of
the last generation have gone by, and
the farmers who would keep step with
the times must do more thinking, make
more inquiry, and keep better posted in
the improvements that are going on
around them. These institutes are the
cheapest and most practical means o.
educating that has yet been devised
Our farmers have leisure enough in
winter to meet to discuss and compare
methods and to read up and study theil
business.
There is no good reason why there
should not be farmers institute held
in this county. They cost little. The
state board sends good speakers and
pays their expenses. All the citizens o.
this city and county need to do is Il
furnish the hall and fill 1t with people
The speakers will come and help do the
rest. They will talk and answer ques
lions, and perhaps induce others tc
talk, which will be about as good .
thing as can happen. There are plenty
of farmers in this county well informed
about their business, who, if they could
be drawn out, would give forth man,
hints and sentiments that would be use
full to all. This county can not afford x
let slip the chance to get 90 much for I
little. Let few meet at once and con
slider this matter. The Secretary of ths
board 10 L. N. Bonham, Columbus, and
he will name the date and the speaker
that you can have, if you will but give ,
hint that you would like to have an in
stitute.
The Mayors Message. We be pardonsi
for requesting the Mayor 10 Incorporate IN hi
next message the fact that many Of our mos
/ M AZ n. 40.